Promises, Promises

Such a cute/​funny musical. It would have to be on my top five favorite plays. Kristen Chenowith, Sean Hayes, and Molly Shannon make a great team/​cast. They are really what made the play five stars.
My only recommendation is… get seats that are close. They usually say there are never any «bad“seats when it comes to theater, but this theater house is pretty big, so if you are sitting at the top in the back, you can’t see as well. Don’t get me wrong you can still see the stage, but you can’t really see their faces. I rather spend a little bit more and be able to see a little bit better.

I didn’t really want to go, but seeing as my fiancé flew up from Atlanta I had to suck it up and act like I was excited. I really enjoyed The Apartment so I was quietly optimistic and I was shocked how much I actually enjoyed this.
Sean Hayes, Kristin Chenoweth, Molly Shannon (small but funny role, and Tony Goldwyn (bad guy from Ghost!) were all fantastic. I can’t believe how good they all sang except for Kristin who I knew had some good pipes. I guess all actors can just do everything well.
Only negative if you can call it that was the show was very long and I caught myself yawning several times. That could be because I knew what was going to happen and was waiting for things to speed up.
Overall I actually enjoyed the show and thought they did a fantastic job. Aside from all the singing and dancing there was some very funny lines that had me rolling. Well Done or should I say Bravo! Bravo!

I found «The Apartment» to be a bit slow, so I was apprehensive about seeing this show. However, after hearing good reviews from friends, I decided to give it a shot. As a musical, this is much more interesting than the movie was.
Sean Hayes totally steals the show. He’s such an incredible physical comedian, but you also empathize for his character as well. Molly Shannon has a teeny part, but she really gives it her all. Kristin Chenoweth’s speaking voice grates a little, but she can really sing. Thoroughly enjoyable show, although extremely predictable plot. Would recommend if you’ve already seen a lot of shows like I have, but I’m not sure I would pay full price.

I LOVE Kristin Chenoweth, don’t get me wrong. I love Sean Hayes and Molly Shannon as well. That’s probably why I had such high expectations for this musical.
I did enjoy watching the actors interact on stage and I thought Sean Hayes did such a great performance, Kristin’s singing was spot on, and Molly Shannon was a total riot for her small role! However, I thought the songs were very forgettable (except the classics like Say a Little Prayer). I also thought the story was very predictable/​nothing that special.
That said, I really enjoyed myself and would recommend others to see it, but it’s just not a show that I would completely rave about, nor would I be dying to see again.

Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes — what else could you ask for? The show was exactly what I expected — funny, good voice, happy ending. I loved their rendition of A House is not a Home… It was playing in my head for days. Highly recommended.

I don’t really have much to say about this musical.
I wish I could have liked it more. Honestly, I do.
And there were tons of things to like.
Kristin Chenoweth can definitely sing. I’m almost jealous … except then I realize that, by male standards, my voice is already relatively high enough as it is and doesn’t need to go any higher.
The costumes are sweet — the bold monochromatic colours are pretty evocative of the era. Forest green is so in for next season.
Sean Hayes is pretty funny and brings a lot of energy to the stage. It’s like a straight and under-​sexualized version of Jack from Will & Grace, who doesnt even touch himself!
Katie Finneran does a sweet job playing Marge. Whoever wrote the play did a fine job with non sequiturs here.
But …
Seven dancers in the choreography — from a purely mathematical standpoint, seven is a prime number and therefore doesn’t divide into other numbers evenly. =P
It seemed to me like the theatre was bigger than other ones on Broadway — and when you’re a graduate student and all you can afford are student rush tickets in the nosebleed section, it can get hard to see. Especially for the kid next to me who forgot his glasses at home.
This isn’t the show’s fault, but having the Newsweek article controversy in the back of my mind made me basically ask myself throughout the show: «Is Jack convincing as a straight man?» And I think he would have been more convincing if the article hadn’t come along.
The songs weren’t that catchy or memorable. Sure, both of the leads can sing, but I can only remember two songs, and one of them is «I Say a Little Prayer» and that’s b/​c it’s famous on its own. It wasn’t even a part of the original musical! I can’t even remember «Promises, Promises!»
And finally, the plot line was rather dull. It was completely predictable — but it was definitely saved by working Marge into the show, and with a lot of the other clever comedic lines in the plot. I guess the show was originally from the 1960s and I can expect «Death of a Salesman» or anything, but still — I wanted more =/​
Overall, it was still a well-​spent evening and I thoroughly enjoyed Promises, Promises! I might not be over-​the-​top thrilled about it, but if you’re in town, do go see it!
NOTE: Katie Finneran has left the show, so I’m not sure how well Marge will be played any more …

I laughed so much I thought they’d kick me out!
I couldn’t help but feel as though I was watching an episode of Will & Grace though every time Sean Hayes came on stage… so seeing him play a straight man made me want to jump up and shout — but Jack you’re gay!
If you’re after a musical which is funny, silly, and performed in a beautiful theater then be sure to go see this one.

had to make sure the original cast was performing before paying for tix at the box office. 5^th row, orchestra center. Broadway at it’s best! Bravo! Really!

Sean Hayes and Kristen Chenoweth are fantastic and get five stars from me for their performance in this show; however, I don’t think this show would be so great with out them. These two have awesome chemistry, and Sean is HILARIOUS in his role. Kate Finneran was hilarious in her role as well.
Another reason I couldn’t quite give this five stars is because the music is just so, so. Its not like Phantom, RENT, or Wicked which are full of great musical numbers. A lot of this show is actually spoken instead of sung, and there isn’t really one great song that stood out; however, Sean and Kristen are amazing singers, so I enjoyed the singing even though i didn’t love the songs.
I really liked the sets as well. They were simple, but perfect for the story.
Quick tip for those interested in student rush tickets: I went this past Saturday. The box office opens at 10, and I was in line around 9:15, but I think even those that showed up around 10 were able to get tickets. Rush tickets are $ 30 and require a student ID. The seats are in the last five rows or so of the rear mezzanine, so you cannot see the actor’s facial expressions; however, you can see the entire stage, and its a great view to see the dancing and other choreography that goes on. You can’t complain about seeing a Broadway show for $ 30!

I don’t know if i can be a perfect judge of the show because the night that i was there, the worst thing that can happen to a Broadway fan happened. Kristen was being UNDERSTUDIED. OMG when I opened the playbill and that little piece of paper floated out, I knew in the pit of my stomach what it would say. And my sinking feeling proved correct. Kristen would NOT be starring in the performance. At first, I decided that I wouldn’t even bother to sit it out, get a refund and come back at a later date. However, the person who I was seeing it with is not from New York and that would prove to be a problem… so we decided to stay and try to enjoy ourselves.
Having no previous conceptions about this play in the slightest, we were in for an interesting roller coaster of a show. The story line was funny, and Sean Hayes was seriously HILARIOUS!!! The music was just alright for me, nothing too memorable (except i loved the song «Never fall in love agaaaaaaiiiinnn).
In the end, I actually enjoyed the understudy’s performance (Forgot her name, sorry sweetie!) but the fact that I knew that i was missing out on Kristen, spoiled the whole thing for me. Sad face :(
It doesn’t rank as high as Wicked, Phantom, Les Mis, and some of the better shows I’ve seen just cuz it’s a comedy and a light hearted type of show. I guess I’m more into dramatic and epic plays. I would recommend it for anyone interested in a light and funny play.

4.5 stars — not a classic like Phantom, does not have amazing costumes like Lion king nor impressive sets like Wicked, but Promises Promises went above my expectations as the Broadway that has the most clever humor. Since it is a relatively new Broadway, I read some Unilocal reviews prior to watching the show and was reassured, but after the show, I was sold! :)
Sean Hayes and Kristen Chenoweth make a dynamic duo. I was very impressed by how good Sean Hayes was considering this was his Broadway debut. His superb delivery kept the entire audience laughing even though the show centered around cynical themes like infidelity and climbing the corporate ladder. Kristen Chenoweth was spunky and her singing was absolutely amazing. Katie Finneran should win the title of «funniest drunk».
The lines and puns were witty… but the musical definitely had more dialogue than some other ones I’ve seen. However, both the music and singing were great (esp Chenoweth). Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth also harmonized very well. The sets were simple but symbolic and served their purposes. I guess the one complaint I had was that the ending was a bit hasty. There was so much buildup in the first act but it seemed like they were trying to wrap things up quickly in the second act. Even though the ending was a happy and cute one, I wish there was more that showed how everything led up to that point
Not usually a huge chick-​flick fan, I have to say Promises Promises was one I truly enjoyed watching and is now my favorite chick-​flick. The cast kept girls, guys, old and young laughing throughout the show, I would recommend it to anyone!

I can’t endorse this sweet, talented, and entertaining revival loudly and strongly enough. Go see it now!!!
Kristen Chenoweth was charming in every way. This classically trained soprano was amazingly powerful and thrilling. Sean Hayes could be no funnier. Their chemistry was too perfect to be scripted. I swear Sean Hayes is straight now. His scene with the chair in the boss’s office makes me giggle just thinking about it.
I’ve got to say that Marge MacDougall (Kate Finneran) stole the show though. Her brief appearance made me want more of her and that owl stole. Seriously an owl stole? She was perfectly cast and more than hilarious. I laughed so hard I cried. If you mess up my eye makeup at the theater, you’re doing something right, my friend. Kate, I will come see you in absolutely anything you, or so much as your pinky toe, are ever in. You made my day.
Having danced the better portion of my life, I especially loved the original choreography. It was brilliant. Those dancers rocked my world, and my only complaint is that I didn’t have enough room to dance in the aisles. I was inspired. :)
This is the kind of show I want to take every one of my NYC visitors to see. Bravo, Promises Promises!

I have loved Kristen Chenoweth ever since glimpsing Wicked. If I swung that way… *wink*
I love Sean Hayes ever since seeing Will & Grace. If he swung this way… *wink*


The music and singing were beautiful (5 stars), and it was kind of cool to see how many songs I recognized. I wish that a couple of them had fit with the plot a little more; some of them seemed a little detached from the scenes or what they could have potentially been, although I get that it may have been the style when Promises Promises was first released.
The plot was a little straightforward and predictable for my taste (2 stars), with only a handful of twists and turns. I guess I like a little more from my sets too. I wasn’t crazy about the sets because shiny things tend to make me ooh and ahhh, but it did seem period-​appropriate (3 stars).
I loved Chuck Baxter’s daydreams, and Hayes’ comedic timing was perfect! (5 stars) (He hosted the Tony Awards a couple nights later.) Chenoweth was adorable and glowing as she always is (5 stars). Katie Finneran was drunkenly hilarious (5 stars), and completely deserved her Tony win for best featured actress in a musical. What an amazing cast.
I half want to stop by and get a Turkey Lurkey tee to wear to my family Christmas party. *starts singing* It’s turkey lurkey time. Tom turkey ran away, but he just came home. It’s turkey lurkey time… *fades out*

HIlarious show. Strong singing. Cute story line. I’d say the second half was surprisingly much more entertaining than the first. The plot is predictable, but the songs are catchy. The set is also very intriguing and keeps things interesting. The choreography is really incredible. I’d recommend this show — but don’t sit in the higher up seats, for you’ll have someone’s head in your way.

I have to admit I was initially hesitant to see this heavily promoted revival because of Sean Hayes’ casting in the lead role, the hopelessly romantic Chuck Baxter who uses his convenient apartment as the means to move up the company ladder. His eight-​season run as the flamboyantly gay Jack McFarland on «Will & Grace» was such an indelible comic turn that I was wondering how he could possibly be that convincing making romantic overtures to Kristen Chenoweth onstage.
As it turns out, the actor handles the role with aplomb because the musical feels more like a pastiche of a bygone period, the early 1960s «Mad Men» era. In other words, it feels like a day-​glo retro-​fantasy, and Hayes fits right into the style. The show has quite a pedigree — book by Neil Simon and the unmistakable music and lyrics of Burt Bacharach and Hal David at their hit-​making prime. The story is based on the classic 1960 Billy Wilder dramedy, «The Apartment», and you will recognize every plot turn if you are a fan as I am of the film.
Hayes sings the songs serviceably and remains his likable self as the self-​effacing company man, talking directly to the audience to create instant rapport. Where the actor goes slightly off is when the mood gets dramatic toward the end and he comes off as somewhat petulant. With her flip do, Chenoweth would seem like a strange choice to play Fran Kubelik, the beleaguered employee cafeteria worker who is sleeping with J.D. Sheldrake, the head of HR. However, she manages to be winning in the role and sings spectacularly on several classics — «I Say a Little Prayer», «Knowing When to Leave», «A House Is Not a Home», and in a touching, guitar-​strumming duet with Hayes, «I’ll Never Fall in Love Again».
Tony Goldwyn brings the right level of smarm to Sheldrake, while Dick Latessa of the equally retro-​fun «Hairspray» gets some of the show’s funniest lines as Chuck’s neighbor, the kindly but sardonic doctor who saves Fran from her fate. But it’s Katie Finneran who completely steals the show based on two scenes at the beginning of Act II. She plays a drunken, man-​hungry barfly attracted to Chuck but feigning coyness quite badly in her owl stole. Her masterfully loose-​limbed comic turn — which brought down the house — is the reason why Tonys exist.
The energy level feels exactly right for this kind of musical thanks to Rob Ashford’s breezy direction and athletic choreography («It’s Turkey Lurkey Time» is still a hoot), Scott Pask’s heavily stylized sets, and Bruce Pask’s bright, smart costumes. You really have to be a critical curmudgeon not to enjoy this spirited production. I saw the show this past Friday just before its opening night and have been humming classic Bacharach-​David tunes ever since. Where are my Dionne Warwick albums?

Unilocal night at the theater. Good times.
Unilocal has the serious hookup and big props to Ms. Jane for getting orchestra seats and delivering what would otherwise be a very expensive evening, fo’ free.
Wish I had loved it. I liked it though.
Sean Hayes was fun. Breaking the third wall and being kinda similar to his «Just Jack» role on Will n Grace was familiar and funny. Comedic timing he’s got. For sure.
Ms.Chenowith has a good voice, no doubt but I didn’t feel for her character.
The musical felt dated and I wanted to enjoy the familiar popular songs but it was SO much Bacharach that I was longing for intermission.
Then the second act began.
Hysterical!
Laugh out loud funny and man was the owl lady, also known as the show stealer, amazing.
She had Sean laughing and that was so good to watch. Sort of like watching the old Carol Burnett Show and how much they all made each other crack up. That was the fun of watching that show and its definitely the best part of this one.
The show needs work but that’s what previews are for. If they tighten it up, they may have a winner on their hands.
But I’m still glad I saw it for free.

Saw this last night with mom sis and bf. The music was great — you will likely recognize a couple hits. Dancing was very fun — very swinging 60s. Marge in act two was def a show stealer (as someone else mentioned below) and Sean Hayes (in his first ever bway show) did really well!
Kristin Chenoweth is adorable (per usual) and her voice is still as amazing as ever (how that much sound comes out of someone that tiny still amazes me!) Have seen her in You’re a good man Charlie Brown, Wicked as well as her Carnegie hall solo performance, and I never get tired of her (even though bubbly blondes can sometimes make a person want to gag)
While I didn’t think the show was as «broadway» as other musicals I have seen (i.e. not a glitzy big time with bells and whistles) it was a very enjoyable performance, and the costumes/​dresses made me want to hit up my favorite mod clothing site!
A hint for those who have trouble sitting still — the seats aren’t terribly comfortable, and with the 15 min intermission the show runs approx 2.5 hrs.

Great book, Great music (Burt Bacharach!)
Great comedic timing by all. Never a dull moment and it made me remember why I really love theater so much. It’s an escape and it’s fun! The only bad part was the heinous person behind my friend and I who decided to play Gail Greene the entire time and during intermission, complain loudly to her friend on the phone about how horrible the show was. Well then LEAVE! No one is forcing you to stay lady…
Anyhow…now that we’ve gotten rid of her… where were we?
Oh!
The headliners (Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth) Phenoms for sure… the the actress playing Marge (entre in Act 2) really steals the show, in my opinion.
Go see it. I know a Broadway show is highway robbery nowadays but we’ve got tkts, we’ve got scalpers, we’ve got Unilocalers, we’ve got friends in high places… find a ticket and try and make it. You won’t be sorry. Pay no attention the annoying woman behind me on her cell phone… ugh. ;)

Complimentary tickets from Unilocal!Due to a slight mix-​up, I almost thought it would’ve been one of the two of us attending the show. Fortunately there were spare tickets that came to our rescue.
While I’m no longer a huge Kristin Chenoweth fan (I used to adore her when she was in Wicked! and actually saw The Apple Tree just because of her and also lamented the fact that I had to miss her one-​night performance @ the Lincoln Center), I still am in awe of her singing. Quelle voix! But as things turned out, it was Sean Hayes that really brought out the comic relief associated with his part. I am not familiar with his work (yes, I don’t really catch his TV shows etc) but his performance was superb. My friend especially loved the duet he did with Kristin in the 2^nd half. And speaking of the 2^nd half, it totally blew us away.
And if you thought complimentary tickets came with mezzanine/​back row/​front row seating… think again! Thanks to Unilocal’s good work, we scored fantastic orchestra seats, right smack in the middle of the theatre… ahhhh and a beautiful, expansive theatre it is. What a fun night we had on Unilocal’s account (or should I say contacts?)

One of the best musicals I’ve seen in a while. Funny, entertaining, well-​done (a few screwed-​up lines … though it’s still in previews) and best of all I didn’t have to pay $ 126.50 for my ticket — THANKS Unilocal … er, Jane. :-)
It’s Sean’s Broadway debut and Kristin’s ga-​zillionth but it was the actress who played the Owl-​Lady who stole the show — great job Katie!